Discord

The Story of Noise

Mike Goldsmith

A unique look at noise and its positive and negative effects throughout human history

Explains the mechanisms behind hearing and how 'noise' and sound are processed by the brain

Provides an insight into the causes and solutions to noise problems - a particularly relevant and topical health concern in the modern world

Offers a new perspective on our own history - looking at noise in terms of the environment, telecommunications and engineering, and evolution

Explains the technical background to noise, its nature, its causes, and effects

Uses everday examples to demonstrate the key points

Discord

The Story of Noise

Mike Goldsmith

Description

Noise is a widely recognized and ever-increasing problem--and a growing health concern--in the modern world. In Discord, Mike Goldsmith looks at the science and history of the long battle between people and noise--a battle that has changed our lives and molded our societies. He investigates how increasing noise levels relate to human progress, from the clatter of wheels on cobbles to the sound of heavy machinery; explains how our scientific understanding of sound and hearing has developed; and looks at noise in nature, including the remarkable ways in which some animals, such as shrimps, use noise as a weapon or to catch prey. Goldsmith also examines the importance of managing noise levels and developing suitable "soundscapes" in industry, schools, or public spaces.
In addition, the book shows that noise, in the sense of dissonance, can also be used positively: composers have employed it from Baroque music to Rock feedback; medicine harnesses it to shatter kidney stones and treat cancer; and even the military uses it in (real and rumored) weapons. Goldsmith concludes by turning to the future, discussing ways in which new science and new ideas may change the way the world will sound.

Discord

The Story of Noise

Mike Goldsmith

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The Nature of Noise2. A Silent Bang3. Classical Noise4. The End of Science5. A New Science of Sound6. Noise in the Eighteenth Century7. Machineries of Noise8. The First Champions of Silence9. New Worlds10. Noise in Wartime11. A Time of Peace?12. A Different Kind of War13. A New Beginning?14. The Power of Science15. A New Pollution16. Noise Now17. A Quieter Tomorrow?

Discord

The Story of Noise

Mike Goldsmith

Author Information

Mike Goldsmith is the former Head of the Acoustic Group at the United Kingdom's National Physical Laboratory and an author of many books for general readers. Two of his books have been short-listed for the Aventis prize (now the Royal Society prize) for science books.

Discord

The Story of Noise

Mike Goldsmith

Reviews and Awards

"[a] spectacularly good book" --The New Scientist

"A treasure trove of curious facts and anecdotes....Discord is an extremely attractive and accessible, well-written and engaging book, an excellent starting place for readers who want to understand the physics and politics of noise." --American Scientist